softwateronly

1/2 and 3/4 are what I have. General rule, up to 18ish feet, a half ounce. Over 25', 3/4oz. Between 18-25' it depends how fast I think I want to reel. The technique works for me on weedy water, but I tend to think it really shines when you can tick the rocks and break the cadence. I also had some success using a *** hags tornado on a swinghead last weekend. The floating worm on a pivoting head gave me confidence that there's some unique action happening. But that's more of a big bait finesse approach. scott

First and foremost, the water has to have big fish. Sounds obvious, but it can't be discounted. Then, it really helps to spend time on that water learning the fish. But in general, for me fishing in MI, ice out till 50 degree water is the best season. And when the water is over 50 degrees, night is the best time. That said, I've caught a 20"+ fish in all conditions, so those other statements are just what I perceive as size of fish per time spent fishing. scott

You can try this trick with your carcass... scott

I don't deep crank much but have been getting better results the last 2 years. I use 30lb power pro and 13lb Sunline Armilo this year and use a 7:1 curado. I actually like the high speed reel and braid for hard stop and go when I can't grind the bottom. A larger handle might make it more comfortable for cranking all day though. scott

The 7'2H is a favorite, I think you're gonna love it. Feels like a MH but sneaky powerful, and I use it for everything but it excels at t-rig and jig. scott

Love to hear about the 7'4H/MF when you get some time with it. I have 4 Adrenas now, 3 that I bought used, and I love their sensitivity, action, and aesthetics. But, there is no rod that I've ever seen that is more prone to cosmetic only blank rash. You don't have to baby it at all for use, but for looks, it needs a rod sleeve and care. scott

I have three that I like a lot, 7' MMH/XF Steez AGS Sensor 6'9 M/F Major Craft Days 7'1 ML/F Phenix Feather Both the Days and Feather fit your budget. I like the Days better and maybe even best of the three, but to get a 6'9M/F it is a 2 piece. I haven't really been able to test the bottom range out yet, but the Days and Steez load up better at 1/8oz total than the Phenix. The Falcon is always recommended and has me interested, but I'm currently stocked up. scott

I use fg and improved alberto on most all set ups. This link goes through cinching albertos correctly, maybe there's a nugget in there for you. scott

There's very few heavy or extra heavy rods that I like that are fast, mod/fast seems to be the sweet spot for me. scott

I don't know how to separate out if it's the braid or the system, but these are my longest casters... 20 metanium on a conquest 904 - 30lb pp v2 slick alphas tw 800s on a mc days 692M - 10lb pp v2 slick alphas air tw on a phenix 7'1 ML - pe .8 diawa emeraldas sensor x8 22 bantam on adrena 7'6XH - 30lb pp v2 slick Trying to guess my way out of this, I'd say the emeraldas does best. I'd like to try it on the major craft though because I think that rod makes the pp and alphas tw 800s shine. scott

I think it's good to talk about what makes you seen as well, and I think you hit on it. The brain perceives silhouette first and foremost. With both a kayak and bass boat sitting low in the water, most objects are sitting right along the horizon. The background, if not on an inland sea, is likely cluttered and an ideal way to camouflage/hide the silhouette. Add in bright sun, deep shadow lines, and waves, trolling motor mounts, it can be very difficult for experienced and actively looking boaters to see certain hazards. I had a somewhat close call last week w/ 2 kayakers last week and I was just idling away from my dock on a glass calm, sunny, late afternoon. They were crossing my bow for over 45yds before I caught one of their white paddles drawing attention, I was probably only 35yds away when I made a hard turn right. At 4-5mph, there was plenty of time, but I easily could've used those first 40 yds as an opportunity to get on pad and it could have been tragic. scott

The heaviest bait I throw is a heavy sink Spro 8" which is a little over 5oz. The Dobyns 806 felt like I was at the limit and I didn't enjoy throwing it around all day. If you get a Dobyns, I think an 807 is more versatile/useful for the 8" hudds and swimmers. scott

I don't either, but they've always been great to deal with. At that price, worth the chance I think. The 7'2H, that I bought used from a different place, is my jig rod, and it's fantastic. I imagine that 7'4XH would be a killer addition for pitching or punching. scott Just reread, I think you're talking about the Adrena 7'4H. That's a rod I don't know but am really interested in.

Midway also has some open box casting Poison Adrena's and Diawa Steez AGS rods for 25-40% off, not all models but 2 of my all time favorites and 2 I want to try. Someone buy them before me... scott

I tend to like a stouter tip for most of my jerkbaits too. In order of stoutness, this is what I use. poison adrena 6'11M+/F major craft days 692M/F expride 610M/MF The mc days is the newest rod to me, but I keep finding ways to enjoy using it. This same rod is also available in 6'6. It is a 2 piece though I'd never know that while fishing it and might be worth adding to your list. A 6'9MH phenix feather might be similar to the adrena for jerks based off of how the 7'1ML behaves. There is no M in the feather line up if you aren't aware. scott

Poison Adrena 7'6XH scott

I don't know the NRX+ but am a big fan of the Xtasy and somewhat of a critic of the Champ and Fury lines. scott

My vote is for the 6'11M+ Adrena. I find it as sensitive as my conquest, and love fishing t-rigs with it. It is so light and balanced with a 6oz reel, with a great tip and smooth transition backbone, it does so many things well. One of my favorite setups. scott

Love that rod!! Here's my 3 rods that do all those well.... 7'3 XH/MF Expride - $289 msrp 7' XH/MF Major Craft Days 702X - $140 msrp 7' XH/R MB Tequila Baccarac - $500 msrp scott

This jig gets through rocks remarkably well. Shore fishing the breakwalls of lake michigan is the biggest, baddest thief in chicago. I think the light head, 1/4oz, and the short puffed out skirt, allows it to never fully wedge. Worth a shot.... Tightrope firework finesse jig scott

I bought 2 piece Days casting for travel rods, 692M and 702X. They have blown me away with the quality and then remembering they are less than $150 leaves me dumbfounded. I love them. The 702X has been chopping a Spro chad shad and caught numerous 4lb+ bass and one healthy Northern pike. I've been able to feel 2 slurp bites, the rest have been hammered. The 692M has hooked and landed a 1/2 dozen 3lb+ great lake smallies, and caught numerous 2-3lb LM on an inland lake. 1/4oz finesse jig, 3/8 finesse jig, and a 1/4oz ballhead and gambler ez. I even chucked a 1oz dark sleeper around, no bites, but it handled over weight decently. I'm a big fan of the line and inventing reasons to source a days 360 model at some point. scott

I do the same as @Team9nine Tightening the half hitches without them rolling over on themselves is also my weakness, but to me it's still smoother than the mono tag facing the wrong way on the cast of an alberto. The rizzuto can also overlap itself while tightening which can lead to an unraveling, but the previous half hitches are doing the work so I keep fishing without issue. scott

There's been some new (to me?) studies that show how important your hearing can be for your later life mental faculties. Untreated moderate tinnitus is linked to a 3x increase chance of dementia. It seems worth it to protect your hearing while you can and use hearing aids when needed. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss scott

My experience agrees with all your observations. The only add from me is anchoring in prime spots works for me. My water is clear, but busy with boat traffic, so I think constant trolling motor engagement can mess with them. If I quietly sit there within a long cast distance, even with other boat traffic going nearby, I have more confidence. And a weird opposite note, if you see a pleasure boat about to fly over a good ambush point, I love tossing a reaction bait right in their wake. Somewhat of a dinner bell at times to grab startled prey. Another "ironic" thing, I see no bite difference between braid or mono or floro when working weedlines. scott

We have a lot of gills colored like yours, MB has you covered if you wanna match. scott